Packaging Manager (2nd Shift)

Daisy Brand LLC

Boone (IA)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 110,000

Full time

42 hours ago

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Job summary

Daisy Brand LLC is seeking a Packaging Manager for the 2nd shift to lead all packaging operations, drive safety and quality, and coordinate with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Processing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams.

The role requires 5+ years of manufacturing leadership in dairy or CPG and a strong focus on lean, continuous improvement, and team development. On-site with travel for onboarding.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a food, beverage, dairy, or consumer packaged goods environment.
Minimum of 3 years of direct leadership experience managing production or packaging operations.
Demonstrated knowledge of food safety systems, GMPs, sanitation programs, and regulatory requirements within a food manufacturing environment.
Experience managing labor, production, packaging materials, and operational performance metrics.

Responsibilities

Lead all packaging operations during the assigned shift to ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.
Direct daily activities of the packaging team while supporting personnel to maximize operational efficiency and production effectiveness.
Coordinate packaging schedules and operational priorities with Processing, Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.
Monitor operational performance metrics and drive actions to improve throughput, labor utilization, and overall line efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

ERP/MES proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, or related field

Tools

ERP

MES

Automated packaging systems

Job description

Position Summary

The Packaging Manager - 2nd Shift reports to the Production Manager and is responsible for leading all packaging operations during the assigned shift, ensuring the safe and efficient production of high-quality dairy products. This position provides leadership and direction for packaging personnel, equipment reliability, sanitation activities, and daily operational performance while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.

Working cross-functionally with Quality, Maintenance, Warehouse, Processing, Engineering, and Supply Chain teams, the Packaging Manager – 2nd Shift ensures compliance with food safety, quality, environmental, sanitation and regulatory standards while achieving production and efficiency targets.

Location and Travel Requirements

There will be a need for 50-75% travel to other Daisy facilities for onboarding for the first 6-9 months. Once onboarding is complete the ongoing travel expectation is up to 25% until plant startup. Post plant startup travel is as needed.

For Boone, IA location: The position is currently located at a temporary office in Ames, IA. Expected in 2028, upon completion of construction, the position will be moving to be onsite at our new manufacturing plant in Boone, IA.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

Lead all packaging operations during the assigned shift to ensure production targets, quality standards, and customer requirements are consistently achieved.

Direct daily activities of the packaging team while supporting personnel to maximize operational efficiency and production effectiveness.

Coordinate packaging schedules and operational priorities with Processing, Quality, Warehouse, Maintenance, and Supply Chain teams.

Monitor operational performance metrics and drive actions to improve throughput, labor utilization, and overall line efficiency.

Safety, Food Safety and Quality

Foster and maintain a strong safety culture by promoting safe work practices and ensuring compliance with all company safety policies and procedures.

Ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety programs, sanitation requirements, HACCP principles, and applicable regulatory standards.

Maintain accountability for product quality and immediately address food safety, product quality, or sanitation concerns.

Lead investigations and corrective actions related to safety incidents, quality defects, customer concerns, and food safety issues.

Maintain readiness for internal audits, regulatory inspections, and customer audits.

Team Leadership and Development

Lead, coach, and develop direct reports to build a highly engaged and high-performing team. Ensure employees receive appropriate training and resources to safely and effectively perform their responsibilities.

Conduct performance evaluations, provide ongoing feedback, and implement development plans to strengthen employee capabilities.

Support packaging team planning activities including hiring, onboarding, training, succession planning, and retention initiatives.

Foster a work environment that promotes accountability, teamwork, employee engagement, and positive employee relations.

Continuous Improvement and Equipment Performance

Drive continuous improvement efforts focused on safety, quality, productivity, waste reduction, and operational excellence.

Analyze production data and performance trends to identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.

Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Lead or support equipment upgrades, line modifications, and capital improvement projects.

Support annual planning efforts and contribute to achieving plant financial objectives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation

Collaborate with Engineering, R&D, Technical Services, Maintenance, Procurement, and external vendors to support new products, packaging technologies, and process improvements.

Facilitate communication and alignment between departments to ensure efficient product flow and issue resolution.

Participate in strategic projects designed to improve operational capability, capacity, quality, and efficiency.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications And Requirements

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Food Science, Manufacturing Management, Operations Management, or a related field.

Minimum of 5 years of progressive manufacturing leadership experience in a food, beverage, dairy, or consumer packaged goods environment.

Minimum of 3 years of direct leadership experience managing production or packaging operations.

Demonstrated knowledge of food safety systems, GMPs, sanitation programs, and regulatory requirements within a food manufacturing environment.

Experience managing labor, production, packaging materials, and operational performance metrics.

Strong leadership, organizational, planning, and execution skills.

Dairy manufacturing experience, preferred.

Experience leading large teams in a high-speed packaging environment, preferred.

Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, TPM, Kaizen, Autonomous Maintenance, and Root Cause Analysis experience, preferred.

Experience with filling, packaging, palletizing, and automated packaging systems, preferred.

Skills and Competencies

Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams.

Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to make sound decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments.

Strong computer proficiency, including experience with ERP, MES, and manufacturing reporting systems.

Company Overview

Daisy Brand is the market leader in two billion-dollar categories – sour cream and cottage cheese. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, we’ve earned the trust of Americans through consistency and quality across five generations as a family-owned company. Our success has been guided by a simple belief: good food, much like good work, starts with integrity. That mindset continues to shape how we make our products, run our business, and support the people behind the brand.

At Daisy Brand, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. We invest thoughtfully in advancements that strengthen our products and operations, supporting responsible, long-term growth. In 2025, we broke ground on a new manufacturing facility in Boone, Iowa, further strengthening our supply chain alongside our established plants in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. Looking ahead, our state-of-the-art Innovation Center, opening in 2026, will bring together research, food science, culinary, and technology teams to shape the future of our products. Recent work from these teams includes the development of the squeeze pouch and new line of dips, reflecting an intentional approach to modernization while staying true to the quality our consumers expect.

At the heart of Daisy Brand is its people. The company is intentionally structured to be collaborative and accessible, with an entrepreneurial mindset encouraged at every level. We hire with the goal of building long-term careers and provide an environment where employees are trusted to think critically, take initiative, and continue learning. Growth here isn’t accidental; it’s actively supported and shared.

To support our employees and their families, Daisy Brand offers a people-first benefits package that includes: